Nederland holds off Stratford, headed to 3rd round

Published 5:26 pm, Saturday, November 19, 2011

Nederland players ran to the 20-yard line to celebrate after Trey Broussard deflected Stratford's fourth-down pass attempt, securing a 21-14 victory in double-overtime.

Nederland (11-1) advances to the third round of the playoffs for the first time since 2003, where it will face Pearland Dawson (10-2).

Nederland struggled offensively for most of the game but scored on both of its overtime possessions.

The game went how most of Nederland's season has - playing teams close but coming away with the win at the end.

"We didn't play great today but we played great when we needed to and I believe Chuck Noll of the Pittsburgh Steelers said that is the mark of a champion," said Nederland head coach Larry Neumann. "The story behind this group is that they never quit."

A fumbled exchange on Stratford's 43-yard line as Nederland was driving down the field with 2:43 left gave Stratford a chance to win the game in regulation, with both teams tied 7-7.

Nederland's defense came up with a sack and a tackle behind the line of scrimmage on a running play to force a punt and overtime. The Bulldogs had already lost one game in overtime earlier this season to Barbers Hill.

Needing a score, as Texas high school football uses the same overtime rules as college football, Nederland got inside the five on a pass from quarterback Carson Raines to running back Troy Benjamin. Raines would punch it in from a yard out three plays later and the game went to a second overtime after Tanner Noel made the extra point.

Nederland scored on its second play of overtime on a 25-yard pass from Raines to Colton Kimler in the end zone.

"It was a great feeling - I just wanted to get the ball in my hands and have a chance to make a play," Kimler said.

Raines had struggled during the first four quarters of the game, throwing two interceptions.

Nederland's defense stopped Stratford's offense on four downs to end the game.

Stratford's starting quarterback, Briscoe, and its top receiver, Max Bredthauer, left the game with injuries in the second quarter and didn't return. Hanes, the backup, showed more mobility than Briscoe, escaping several would-be sacks.

Nederland lost two fumbles, including one in the third quarter at Stratford's 10 as the Bulldogs were driving to take the lead.

"You can't turn the ball over as much as we did this week and except to prevail," Neumann said. "We'll work on that this week."

The Class 4A Division I Region III semifinal against Pearland Dawson is 6 p.m. Saturday at Galena Park ISD Stadium, the site of Nederland's win over Stratford.

"There's so much tradition here so it feels good to have a chance to play for all those who have come through Nederland," said junior defensive back Zach Taylor.

The Bulldogs are one of three District 20-4A teams still in the playoffs, joining Vidor and Ozen, who were also victorious in the second round.